Merrill knocked on the door to Evelyn's berth, "Are you ok?"

Evelyn had been sick for several days now. It had been bad in the enclosed carriage, but it was really bad on the ship. What was funny was that besides nausea, she didn't really have any other symptoms and travel never made her sick before. She assumed it was mostly due to the stress of having to leave her husband and her home.

"I'm fine," she called.

Merrill opened the door, "We're having breakfast, if you'd like to join us." Trying to entice her, Merrill said, "Yummy pancakes, sausages, bacon...why are you turning green?"

Evelyn shook her head and threw up into a bucket.

Merrill rubbed her back, then thought for a moment, "As a First, sometimes I'd help with sick in the clan. The only time I've ever seen anyone this nauseated was when they were pregnant."

Evelyn's eyes got wide, she stopped and considered it, "I can't be...," was all she said.

Merrill laughed, "Of course you can! I've seen you and Cullen together. I'm pretty sure it's possible."

Evelyn chuckled a little, "That's not exactly what I meant. Just that I hadn't thought about it. And the timing is very bad."

"Speaking with the women in the clan, I don't think the timing is ever good," Merrill smiled at her.

"One way to find out." Evelyn took a deep sigh and held her hand above her tummy. She'd seen Anders do this so often before, and now she wished she'd paid more attention. She searched and finally, she "felt" it...a small, rapid little heartbeat.

She relaxed her shoulders, not realizing how much tension she had been holding, "I don't know if I should be relieved that I'm not dying, or more worried about how this changes things."

Merrill smiled even wider, "Yay! A baby!"

Evelyn nodded, still a little shocked, "Indeed, a baby." She'd have to write Cullen and let him know once they reached Denerim.

Although it would be obvious eventually, out of concern for the baby, she decided she wouldn't tell anyone just yet, "Merrill, I need you to keep this between us, for now, please."

Merrill nodded as understanding dawned on her, "Alright, I won't tell anyone before you do. Anyway, my breakfast is getting cold. You could probably stand the pancakes, would you like for me to bring you some?"

Evelyn smiled at her, "That would be lovely, thank you."

When they arrived in Denerim, Solana greeted everyone as they got off of the carriage. She hugged her cousin who asked how everything was. Solana filled them in. Alistair had gone to the tower in Ferelden. He wanted to assess the situation personally and to see what the Templars there intended concerning the mages. He was prepared to vacate the tower and bring all of the mages back with him, if necessary.

"Are you OK, how long have you been here alone?" Evelyn asked.

Solana smiled, "I'm not alone, I've been in very capable hands, actually." She gestured to the figure who was making his way across the courtyard.

Evelyn looked confused, and turned towards the figure. She thought she recognized who it was, but immediately afterwards, she felt her knees get weak and felt herself hit the ground as she passed out.

Solana knelt down beside her alarmed as Anders came running up, "Give her some air", he said. He did a cursory examination of her and when he got to her tummy, immediately pursed his lips.

"The Viscountess has had a rather long journey. I think perhaps the exhaustion has overcome her." He looked at Solana, "Can you take me to her room?"

Solana nodded, "Of course."

Anders reached under Evelyn and lifted her with ease. The queen showed him the way. He placed her gently on the bed.

"Is there anything you need from me?" Solana asked.

"No, a bit of rest and she'll be alright. I could hit her with a rejuvenating spell, but I think the sleep would be better."

"When she passed out, I'd heard that little elf say that she had been seasick and hadn't eaten in a couple of days."

Anders managed a smile at Solana, "That's probably it. I can't find anything wrong with her. When she wakes up, I'll have something prepared for her."

Solana squinted at him, "What are you not telling me?"

Anders tried to put on his best innocent face, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Solana rolled her eyes, "Now I know you're hiding something, what is it?"

Anders sighed, "I need to talk to the Viscountess first. Please don't press me and don't mention it to anyone beforehand."

Solana nodded, "It sounds serious, should I be concerned."

He looked back to the Viscountess sleeping peacefully, "I think it complicates the situation, but nothing to be overly distraught about." He gave her a genuine smile then gently pushed her out the door, "Go."

Solana grimaced, "Fine, I'm going...Dammit!"

Anders was right behind her, "I'm going to get a couple of things then come back. I just want to keep an eye on her until she wakes up. I'm also going to pick up a couple of things from the kitchen for her."

Solana wanted to warn him about boundaries, then decided to keep it to herself, for now. He was one of the best healers in Thedas, after all. And, though he had a great deal of genuine natural talent, much of it was also the concern he had for his patients. She made a mental note to keep an eye on him.

Anders grabbed some broth and fruit from the kitchen that wouldn't be too difficult on her stomach. He stopped by his room and grabbed a book and a few ingredients for a remedy, then went to Evelyn's room. He checked on her. She was still fast asleep. He put everything on the dresser, then took a chair in the corner along with a couple of candles to read by. He settled in and waited.